CABANATUAN CITY (PIA) — The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), has made history by launching the Philippines’ first Level 4 Digital Transformation Center (DTC).
In his 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. directed relevant agencies to ensure that the speed and quality of the country’s IT development align with its economic aspirations.
NEUST’s DTC Level 4 is a direct manifestation of this vision, serving as a regional hub for innovation, digital learning, and inclusive access to technology.
The center features a techno hub, a data center, and a robotics building, marking a significant advancement in the university’s ICT infrastructure and capacity.
NEUST President Rhodora Jugo praised the DICT for its continued support and emphasized the importance of being the first DTC Level 4 in the country for bolstering digital capacity-building efforts in local communities and fostering innovation-led development in the region.
“Technology is powerful. However, that power must come with purpose. The technology we use must also help individuals and communities move forward in this fast-changing digital world,” said Jugo.
DICT Regional Director Antonio Edward Padre spoke about the center’s significance and commended the partnership with NEUST, highlighting their shared commitment to innovation.
In line with this initiative, the university conducted its first official training under the DTC—a five-day Python Programming Essential Course for NEUST’s Emerging Technologies- Programming team.
This training aims to enhance participants’ technical proficiency in emerging technologies by providing an introduction and hands-on instruction in Python programming, one of the most widely used programming languages in the ICT sector.
DICT Nueva Ecija Provincial Head Conrado Castro Jr. stressed the importance of continuous digital upskilling, especially among educators, to ensure inclusive participation in the country’s digital shift.
“In education, learning should be continuous—we must keep gaining knowledge. As we always say, no one should be left behind in the spirit of digital bayanihan,” he stated.
By aligning with the President’s call to strengthen connectivity, expand free Wi-Fi, and enhance cybersecurity, NEUST’s DTC Level 4 serves as a pioneering model for other institutions in advancing digital inclusion and local innovation through improved access to education, entrepreneurship, and e-government services. (CLJD/CNG, PIA 3-Nueva Ecija)
